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First seen in 1998, asteroid 52768 (1998 OR2) will fly across Earth next week. It will pass within 3,908,791 miles of Earth, moving at 19,461 miles per hour on April 29.
The asteroid is approximately 2 km in diameter and rotates once every 4.1 hours, as suggested by optical observations. What’s interesting is that the asteroid appears to be wearing a face mask, similar to humans.
The image was taken on Saturday (April 18) by the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico. The observatory tweeted:
Anne Virkki, head of planetary radar at the Arecibo Observatory, said: “Small-scale topographic features, such as hills and ridges at one end of the 1998 OR2 asteroid, are scientifically fascinating. But since we are all thinking about COVID-19, these features make it seem like OR2 1998 remembers wearing a mask. ”
According to reports, the asteroid will fly beyond Earth at a distance of 6.3 million km from Earth. There is nothing to fear; It will not threaten human civilization.
Flaviane Venditti, research scientist at the observatory said: “Radar measurements allow us to know more precisely where the asteroid will be in the future, including its future approaches to Earth. In 2079, the 1998 asteroid OR2 will pass Earth approximately 3.5 times closer than this year, so it is important to know its orbit precisely. “
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